Federal Judge Declares A Mistrial After Jury Deadlocked

A mistrial has been declared by U.S. District Judge Claire Eagan after jurors were unable to agree whether Carl Don Floyd purposely shined a laser into the cockpit of a helicopter.

Floyd (pictured), a resident of Tulsa, OK, was arrested February 15 after a police department helicopter crew reported that they had been targeted by a green laser multiple times while on patrol. The newspaper Tulsa World reports that, according to the government's case, Floyd was found outside his home and that he had knowingly pointed the laser at the aircraft, hitting it at least three times.

Floyd did admit that he was pointing the laser at objects outside his home that night, but said he did not purposely target the aircraft. He said he was aiming at cell towers, trees and mailboxes.

Floyd's public defender Martin Hart argued that the government had presented no evidence to suggest otherwise, and at least some on the jury saw that as a compelling argument. They told Judge Eagan that they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

A new trial has been set for August 18. If convicted, Floyd could face a fine of $250,000 and up to five years in prison.